30 July ’04, Friday. What is a Zloty? What is a Koruna (OK, it is not a beer…), what is a Forint? And the last 2, you should get right away…what are Euros ? What are the Egyptian Pounds? They are all money and we have just been introduced to the “Zloty or Zlote” as we crossed in to Poland. It is always interesting when you cross the borders. You realize that you don’t have “any” money that will pay for anything. Now this is really nuts, it is at that moment, that you would just die for a cup of coffee and a sweet treat of some type. Between the monies of Poland and Slovakia, the Zloty is about 3.54 to $1.00 US, where as the Koruna was about 32 to $1.00 US. All these figures will keep you on your toes, but at the end of the day you have spent just about the same for meals and other expenses. Also, it seems that all the travel books that we have read, give you conflicting information in regards to border crossings and what is required. Going into Poland was no different. One of the books ( and this one was supposed to be up to date ), said that we would have to get visa’s for about $50 US and most likely would have to increase our car insurance prior to going on. We gathered all the papers together and approached the border. Our hands got sweaty just thinking of all the potential problems that might occur. I passed our Passports to the officer on duty just as a car approached from the Poland side. He looked slightly at ours and took the other cars Passports at the same time. Apparently, the other car didn’t have enough passports for the passengers. At that time, the officer just said quite firmly “NIE” to them and “Thank You” to us and gave us our go ahead…..No visa, no additional anything, just Thank You…. We Love this country… Continuing on, about the information the “books” give…the roads are supposed to be much improved over other Eastern European countries….Double WRONG !!! Those that know the Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas know the road construction material….there are spots, when you least expect them, that are made of the same stone, but have ruts and tire indentations all through them that make it “The” most impossible road I have ever driven or ridden on. The roads are very narrow, winding and twisting, climbing (STEEP CLIMBING), and packed with cars and trucks that are ALL at a stand still….I’m guessing road construction. It has been quite a day and one to write home about (and that’s exactly what I’m doing). After stopping for lunch in Bielsko Biala, we headed off to find a campground in the small village of Wilkowice. We are paying about $7 US per night. It is within 25 yards of a lake formed by a dam and in the village of Wilkowice, were we found Dorota (Dorothy). She was introduced to us at our table by the waiter. It seemed that he didn’t speak English (not that we spoke any Polish…), but knew that Dorota did….She is wonderful, and a big help in translating the menu for us. Our meal was exceptional and I would have to give her all the credit, for us making the right choices. Oh yes, she will be getting married here to a young man from Germany in October…..Congratulations !!!! I’ve got to mention the weather, for it has been “mostly sunny” and in the mid to high 70’s….we loved it and look for more tomorrow. Speaking of … Tomorrow…..I don’t know yet !!!